Tom Gjeltenhttp://mtpr.org
enWhy Are Only Three Observant Sikh Men Serving In The U.S. Military?http://mtpr.org/post/why-are-only-three-observant-sikh-men-serving-us-military
If a Muslim woman may wear a headscarf at work, as the <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2015/06/01/411271199/supreme-court-rules-on-two-key-individual-freedom-cases" target="_blank">U.S. Supreme Court has now affirmed</a>, perhaps a Sikh man should be able to wear a turban while serving in the U.S. military.<p>So argues the <a href="http://www.sikhcoalition.org/" target="_blank">Sikh Coalition</a>, an advocacy organization that has long opposed a Pentagon ban on facial hair and religious headgear among service members.Fri, 05 Jun 2015 21:10:00 +0000Tom Gjelten35462 at http://mtpr.orgWhy Are Only Three Observant Sikh Men Serving In The U.S. Military?Learning About The Quran ... From A Catholic Archbishophttp://mtpr.org/post/learning-about-quran-catholic-archbishop
As a 12-year-old Catholic boy growing up in England, Michael Fitzgerald decided he wanted to be a missionary in Africa. Eight years later, he was studying theology and learning Arabic in Tunisia.<p>He went on to devote his priestly ministry to the promotion of interfaith understanding between Muslims and Christians, and became one of the top Roman Catholic experts on Islam.Thu, 30 Apr 2015 07:23:00 +0000Tom Gjelten34040 at http://mtpr.orgLearning About The Quran ... From A Catholic ArchbishopChurch Of Scientology Calls New HBO Documentary 'Bigoted'http://mtpr.org/post/church-scientology-calls-new-hbo-documentary-bigoted
The Church of Scientology is famous for its efforts to silence its critics, but it has not blocked an upcoming HBO film that turns a harsh light on the powerful organization and its leadership.<p><em>Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief,</em> directed by Academy Award-winning documentarian Alex Gibney, will debut Sunday over the vigorous objection of Scientology officials.<p>For the film, <a href="http://www.npr.org/2013/01/24/170010096/going-clear-a-new-book-delves-into-scientology">based on a book by Lawrence Wright</a>, Gibney dug up extensive archival footage of Scientology's Thu, 26 Mar 2015 22:01:00 +0000Tom Gjelten32621 at http://mtpr.orgChurch Of Scientology Calls New HBO Documentary 'Bigoted'Pew Study On Religion Finds Increased Harassment Of Jewshttp://mtpr.org/post/pew-study-religion-finds-increased-harassment-jews
<strong>Updated at 2 p.m. ET.</strong><p>This week, a man was sentenced to die in Saudi Arabia because he renounced his faith in Islam; a Hindu leader in India made a new accusation against Mother Teresa; a mosque near Bethlehem was set on fire.<p>It's hardly news that religious differences lead to conflict, nor is it surprising that governments try to restrict religious practice or favor some religions over others.Thu, 26 Feb 2015 17:43:00 +0000Tom Gjelten31445 at http://mtpr.orgPew Study On Religion Finds Increased Harassment Of JewsMore Muslim Groups Voice Willingness To Combat Extremism In Their Faithhttp://mtpr.org/post/more-muslim-groups-voice-willingness-combat-extremism-their-faith
The reluctance of President Obama and others to link Middle East terrorism explicitly to Islam at this week's "Countering Violent Extremism" summit exposed them to withering criticism, and not entirely from conservatives. Some Muslim reformers who have been struggling to combat radicalism in their mosques and communities have been willing to talk about the extremist ideologies they encounter.<p>"I think it's very important to be clear about this message, and to name it," says Zainab Al-Suwaij, the executive director of the American Islamic Congress.Fri, 20 Feb 2015 11:20:00 +0000Tom Gjelten31182 at http://mtpr.orgMore Muslim Groups Voice Willingness To Combat Extremism In Their FaithSome See Extreme 'Anti-Theism' As Motive In N.C. Killingshttp://mtpr.org/post/some-see-extreme-anti-theism-motive-nc-killings
Outrage over the murder of three young Muslim Americans in North Carolina last week has gone international. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation said Saturday that the killings reflected "Islamophobia" and "bear the symptoms of a hate crime," but local authorities say they don't yet know what motivated the murders.<p>The man held responsible for the killings is an avowed atheist. Whether that's relevant in this case is not clear, but some experts see a new extremism developing among some atheists.<p>The North Carolina killings have unnerved U.S.Sun, 15 Feb 2015 14:23:00 +0000Tom Gjelten30991 at http://mtpr.orgSome See Extreme 'Anti-Theism' As Motive In N.C. KillingsNew Government Agency Designed To Tackle Cyber Threats More Effectivelyhttp://mtpr.org/post/new-government-agency-designed-tackle-cyber-threats-more-effectively
<div class="fullattribution">Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.<img src="http://www.google-analytics.com/__utm.gif?utmac=UA-5828686-4&utmdt=New+Government+Agency+Designed+To+Tackle+Cyber+Threats+More+Effectively&utme=8(APIKey)9(MDA5NjA1MTgyMDEzMzk3ODE2ODgwOGQyMQ004)"/></div><p>Transcript <p>RACHEL MARTIN, HOST: <p>After 9/11, the U.S. government reorganized itself so intelligence agencies could share more information about possible terrorist attacks. Out of that came the National Counterterrorism Center.Tue, 10 Feb 2015 21:47:00 +0000Tom Gjelten30750 at http://mtpr.orgObama Highlights Challenges Of Balancing Security, Libertyhttp://mtpr.org/post/obama-highlights-challenges-balancing-security-liberty
Coverage of President Obama's speech about proposed changes for the National Security Agency continues with more of his comments, plus analysis.Fri, 17 Jan 2014 18:17:00 +0000Tom Gjelten13798 at http://mtpr.orgSenate Committee Lays Blame For Benghazi With State Departmenthttp://mtpr.org/post/senate-committee-lays-blame-benghazi-state-department
Transcript <p>AUDIE CORNISH, HOST: <p>The Senate Intelligence Committee today delivered its analysis of the 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya. Four Americans were killed in that attack, including the U.S. ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens. It's a bipartisan report. Democrats and Republicans on the committee agreed, among other things, that the attack might have been prevented if the State Department had taken better precautions at the Benghazi post.<p>For more on the report, we're joined by NPR's Tom Gjelten.Wed, 15 Jan 2014 22:15:00 +0000Tom Gjelten13706 at http://mtpr.orgIs U.S. Ready Rethink Sept. 11 Security Policies?http://mtpr.org/post/us-ready-rethink-sept-11-security-policies
Transcript <p>RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST: <p>It's MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Renee Montagne.<p>DAVID GREENE, HOST: <p>And I'm David Greene. Good morning. President Obama says he will soon propose changes at the National Security Agency. Former contractor Edward Snowden's disclosure of NSA surveillance programs widespread criticism and prompted a review of the agency's operations by Congress, the courts, and the White House.Thu, 02 Jan 2014 11:04:00 +0000Tom Gjelten13145 at http://mtpr.orgU.S. Reassesses Relationship With Rebel Groups In Syriahttp://mtpr.org/post/us-reassesses-relationship-rebel-groups-syria
Transcript <p>MELISSA BLOCK, HOST: <p>From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Melissa Block.<p>AUDIE CORNISH, HOST: <p>And I'm Audie Cornish. The supply of nonlethal U.S. aid to opposition groups in Syria was suspended this week. That's after Islamist forces raided a warehouse where some of the aid had been stored. The supplies were meant for the U.S. backed Supreme Military Council, but the moderate rebel group has largely been sidelined by more radical elements. NPR's Tom Gjelten reports the U.S.Fri, 13 Dec 2013 21:35:00 +0000Tom Gjelten12411 at http://mtpr.orgIran's Nuclear Deal Faces Big Test http://mtpr.org/post/irans-nuclear-deal-faces-its-first-test-weekend
The nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers will face its first test this weekend. Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency are due to make a long-delayed visit to a nuclear site in Iran where plutonium could be produced.<p>A nuclear reactor and associated production plant in Arak are a special concern because plutonium can be used in a nuclear bomb.Wed, 04 Dec 2013 10:03:00 +0000Tom Gjelten11957 at http://mtpr.orgIran's Nuclear Deal Faces Big Test Profit, Not Just Principle, Has Tech Firms Concerned With NSA http://mtpr.org/post/profit-not-just-principle-has-tech-firms-concerned-nsa
Along with the privacy advocates and the national security establishment, there is another set of players with strong views on NSA surveillance programs: U.S. tech companies.<p>Google and five other companies weighed in on the surveillance debate last month, sending a letter to members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, supporting legislation to reform National Security Agency surveillance programs.<p>Their intervention was in part prompted by the news that the NSA had apparently managed to penetrate some of their data centers in Europe.Wed, 20 Nov 2013 09:32:00 +0000Tom Gjelten11370 at http://mtpr.orgProfit, Not Just Principle, Has Tech Firms Concerned With NSA Technology Outpacing Policymakers, Needs Of NSA http://mtpr.org/post/technology-outpacing-policymakers-needs-nsa
The controversy over the National Security Agency's surveillance programs has exposed a problem in the oversight of those programs: The development of the relevant technology has outpaced the laws and policies that govern its use.<p>"The technology is moving very fast," says Joel Brenner, a former NSA general counsel. "Legislation moves very slowly. Policy moves pretty slowly. The people who write policy don't always understand technology, and the people who write legislation almost never understand technology.Tue, 19 Nov 2013 07:54:00 +0000Tom Gjelten11322 at http://mtpr.orgTechnology Outpacing Policymakers, Needs Of NSA U.S. Tech Firms May Be Feeling Bite From NSA Spying Reportshttp://mtpr.org/post/us-tech-firms-may-be-feeling-bite-nsa-spying-reports
Recent disclosures about NSA surveillance have affected U.S. relations with allies and tainted America's image around the world. Now the fallout seems to be creeping into the U.S.Fri, 15 Nov 2013 21:25:00 +0000Tom Gjelten11188 at http://mtpr.orgIntelligence Officials Aim To Pre-Empt More Surveillance Leakshttp://mtpr.org/post/intelligence-officials-aim-pre-empt-more-surveillance-leaks
NSA officials are bracing for more surveillance disclosures from the documents taken by former contractor Edward Snowden — and they want to get out in front of the story.<p>In a recent speech, NSA Director Keith Alexander said Snowden may have taken as many as 200,000 NSA documents with him when he left his post in Hawaii.Wed, 13 Nov 2013 23:08:00 +0000Tom Gjelten11070 at http://mtpr.orgIntelligence Officials Aim To Pre-Empt More Surveillance LeaksWho Gets The Blame For NSA Spying? NSA Says Not Ushttp://mtpr.org/post/who-gets-blame-nsa-spying-nsa-says-not-us
Transcript <p>AUDIE CORNISH, HOST: <p>Over at the NSA, officials say they welcome the president's policy review on surveillance. But they and other intelligence leaders bristle at the idea that they've overstepped their bounds in gathering information, both here and abroad. For months, the NSA has been on the defensive as a result of the Snowden disclosures.<p>NPR's Tom Gjelten says the agency is now trying to get out in front of the story.<p>TOM GJELTEN, BYLINE: It was bad enough when the NSA was getting heat over its surveillance programs from civil libertarians and members of Congress.Wed, 13 Nov 2013 22:07:00 +0000Tom Gjelten11067 at http://mtpr.orgYou Have Questions About The NSA; We Have Answers http://mtpr.org/post/you-have-questions-about-nsa-we-have-answers
Four months have passed since former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden began spilling secrets about the NSA's surveillance programs, but many Americans still don't know what to think about the disclosures.<p>For good reason. The surveillance programs are highly technical, involving the bulk interception of huge volumes of communication data as they traverse multiple links and networks.Sun, 20 Oct 2013 10:12:00 +0000Tom Gjelten9934 at http://mtpr.orgYou Have Questions About The NSA; We Have Answers Are We Moving To A World With More Online Surveillance?http://mtpr.org/post/are-we-moving-world-more-online-surveillance
Many governments around the world have expressed outrage over the National Security Agency's use of the Internet as a spying platform. But the possible response may have an unforeseen consequence: It may actually lead to more online surveillance, according to Internet experts.<p>Some governments, led most recently by Brazil, have reacted to recent disclosures about NSA surveillance by proposing a redesign of Internet architecture.Wed, 16 Oct 2013 06:56:00 +0000Tom Gjelten9743 at http://mtpr.orgAre We Moving To A World With More Online Surveillance?Al-Shabab Shifts Focus From Territory To Terrorismhttp://mtpr.org/post/al-shabab-shifts-territorial-terrorists
Al-Shabab has been around for years as a militia group fighting for territory in Somalia.<p>When al-Shabab militants, dressed in casual clothes, turned up in a ritzy shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya, last weekend and gunned down men, women and children, the group shifted from an insurgent movement to a terrorist organization.<p>"A week ago, al-Shabab wasn't in the news," says Bruce Hoffman, a a terrorism expert at Georgetown University and the Rand Corporation. "Arguably, outside of Somalia, no one really cared about them."<p>Yet the group has dominated the headlines this week.Sat, 28 Sep 2013 11:57:00 +0000Tom Gjelten8948 at http://mtpr.orgThe Effects Of The Snowden Leaks Aren't What He Intendedhttp://mtpr.org/post/effects-snowden-leaks-arent-what-he-intended
An official assessment of the damage caused by news leaks about government surveillance programs suggests that terrorist groups are changing their communication methods in response to the disclosures, according to officials at the National Security Agency.<p>Shortly after former NSA contractor Edward Snowden leaked top-secret documents concerning the agency's foreign surveillance operations, Keith Alexander, director of the NSA, said the disclosures had caused "irreversible and significant damage." He ordered a thorough investigation into how the leaks occurred and what effect they would have Fri, 20 Sep 2013 20:34:00 +0000Tom Gjelten8608 at http://mtpr.orgThe Effects Of The Snowden Leaks Aren't What He IntendedOfficials: Edward Snowden's Leaks Were Masked By Job Dutieshttp://mtpr.org/post/officials-edward-snowdens-leaks-were-masked-job-duties
More than three months after Edward Snowden revealed details of NSA secret surveillance activities, intelligence officials are still assessing the fallout from the former contractor's disclosures.Wed, 18 Sep 2013 07:19:00 +0000Tom Gjelten8454 at http://mtpr.orgOfficials: Edward Snowden's Leaks Were Masked By Job DutiesFISA Court: NSA Surveillance Program Was Unconstitutionalhttp://mtpr.org/post/fisa-court-nsa-surveillance-program-was-unconstitutional
Transcript <p>RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST: <p>This is MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Renee Montagne.<p>DAVID GREENE, HOST: <p>And I'm David Greene. Good morning.<p>A previously top-secret exchange between the National Security Agency and the court that oversees its surveillance activities is now public. The NSA yesterday declassified a 2011 ruling in which the court said that one aspect of the NSA's surveillance program was both illegal and unconstitutional.Thu, 22 Aug 2013 08:49:00 +0000Tom Gjelten7172 at http://mtpr.orgThe Next Disaster Scenario Power Companies Are Preparing Forhttp://mtpr.org/post/next-disaster-scenario-power-companies-are-preparing
In the 10 years since sagging power lines in Ohio sparked a blackout across much of the Northeastern United States and Canada, utility engineers say they have implemented measures to prevent another such event in the country's electric grid.<p>But there is one disaster scenario for which the power companies are still unprepared: a massive attack on the computer networks that underlie the U.S.Thu, 15 Aug 2013 06:57:00 +0000Tom Gjelten6840 at http://mtpr.orgThe Next Disaster Scenario Power Companies Are Preparing ForWhich Citizens Are Under More Surveillance, U.S. Or European?http://mtpr.org/post/who-spies-more-united-states-or-europe
The disclosure of of previously secret NSA surveillance programs has been met by outrage in Europe. The European Parliament even threatened to delay trade talks with the United States.<p>Yet U.S. officials have dismissed much of the complaining as hypocrisy. Before the <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/07/24/205276633/amendment-limiting-nsa-record-collection-fails-in-the-house">House rejected legislation</a> that would have limited the data the NSA can collect last week, U.S.Sun, 28 Jul 2013 09:43:00 +0000Tom Gjelten5981 at http://mtpr.orgWhich Citizens Are Under More Surveillance, U.S. Or European?NSA Leaks Focus New Attention On Government Contractorshttp://mtpr.org/post/nsa-leaks-focus-new-attention-government-contractors
Transcript <p>AUDIE CORNISH, HOST: <p>From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Audie Cornish.<p>ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST: <p>And I'm Robert Siegel.<p>Edward Snowden, the man who leaked top-secret NSA documents, predicted a month ago that the U.S. government would accuse him of committing grave crimes. That comment came in a video released today by The Guardian newspaper.Mon, 08 Jul 2013 20:15:00 +0000Tom Gjelten5015 at http://mtpr.orgDefense Officials Indicate NSA Leaks Have Had Consequenceshttp://mtpr.org/post/defense-officials-indicate-nsa-leaks-have-had-consequences
Washington is still trying to determine how much damage has been done as a result of Edward Snowden's revelations about NSA surveillance. Snowden allegedly encrypted the files he took with him, but some officials fear Chinese or Russian intelligence services gained access to Snowden's computers.Fri, 28 Jun 2013 09:37:00 +0000Tom Gjelten4562 at http://mtpr.orgNSA Leak Could Be Bad Business For U.S. Tech Companieshttp://mtpr.org/post/nsa-leak-could-be-bad-business-us-tech-companies
The disclosure of previously secret National Security Agency surveillance programs has left many Americans worried that the privacy of their personal data and communications is in jeopardy.<p>In an apparent effort to alleviate those concerns, a senior administration official said President Obama's <a href="http://www.npr.org/2013/06/08/189776156/just-in-time-the-new-agency-responsible-for-keeping-the-nsa-in-check">Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board</a> is reviewing U.S.Fri, 21 Jun 2013 22:29:00 +0000Tom Gjelten4297 at http://mtpr.orgThe Case For Surveillance: Keeping Up With Terrorist Tacticshttp://mtpr.org/post/high-tech-surveillance-targets-evolving-terrorist-tactics
Since public revelations that the National Security Agency is collecting telephone records and reviewing Internet communications in the U.S. and abroad, officials have been making the case that the programs are vital. They argue that the tactics match the new ways terrorists are planning and communicating.<p>There was a time when America's enemies conspired face-to-face, or communicated through couriers, or by leaving messages for each other somewhere.Sat, 15 Jun 2013 09:25:00 +0000Tom Gjelten3977 at http://mtpr.orgThe Case For Surveillance: Keeping Up With Terrorist TacticsCyberspying Expected To Be Discussed At U.S.-China Summithttp://mtpr.org/post/cyber-spying-expected-be-discussed-us-china-summit
Transcript <p>RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST: <p>Today, President Obama will be turning his attention to China. He's meeting China's new President, Xi Jinping, here in Southern California. There's plenty on the agenda: trade, currency, North Korea. This year, though, a new topic may dominate: China's habit of breaking into U.S. computer networks to steal trade and military secrets.<p>NPR's Tom Gjelten reports.<p>TOM GJELTEN, BYLINE: U.S. officials used to say only that some countries engage in cyber espionage. Everyone knew they usually meant China. They just wouldn't say so.Fri, 07 Jun 2013 08:46:00 +0000Tom Gjelten3591 at http://mtpr.org